The Black Student Association is a space that provides connection and comradery every first and third Thursday of the month in room 306 for people who can bond through their shared experiences of being African-American students. Though there are many resources to help students feel at home and comfortable at school, more often than not, students of all grades seek to make connections with not only their teachers and counselors, but their peers as well. This however, can be harder when teenagers are unable to connect with each other’s experiences, for instance, because of cultural differences.
Historically, people who have been born with a darker skin tone have been discriminated against and oppressed. Where they were allowed to go was restricted, they were harassed on a regular basis and their education was much worse than their lighter-skinned peers. Many people in the world think that the conditions for people of color have gotten better over the years, but in reality they still aren’t the best. Statistically, black adolescents are less likely than their peers to get mental health care, primarily because of racism, poverty and a deeply rooted stigma around mental health. This has caused suicide rates among black adolescents to rise faster than any other racial or ethnic group. Because of conditions like this, the Black Student Association can sometimes be the only place where African American students can share how they feel and connect to ease their stress.
Within the club, members take part in a variety of activities including games, field trip trips and even some helpful advice from teachers about future classes or colleges they might be interested in. “I think it makes a meeting space for black students to come to, and even if they don’t talk to new people, it’s a place for them to be there with their friends. Also, we do field trips where we learn about historically black colleges or we do stuff with the counselors coming in. We just try to really educate the black students and connect them so we’re a community,” club president Nara Abenola (‘26) shared.
Before some members joined the club, they didn’t know much about it, but even if they were pulled into the club by pure chance, it’s not unlikely that they would find themselves liking it. Club member Seremein White (‘26) described her BSA experience, saying, “I joined by walking one morning in the hallway and Nara, the president of BSA, came up to me and she asked me if I wanted to join the club. The vice president was also with her and I was like, sure. So I went that week to the club and I just had a great time. I was introduced to my current friends and it’s just a great club to be in. They’re so welcoming and friendly. The vibes there are amazing.”
Though the BSA club is mainly for the black students in Green Hope, all students are welcome in the club. If anyone wants a place to chat, play games or learn about a unique type of culture and history, then the BSA club might just be the place they’re looking for.
